We provide unique and intensive physiotherapy programmes incorporating the Universal Exercise Unit (UEU) also known as the ‘spider’. The ‘spider’ is a series of bungee ropes in a frame that support the child in any position while the physiotherapist carries out exercises to help develop and build the child’s muscles.

Who we help

Conditions we treat:

Cerebral palsy

Developmental delay

Acquired brain injuries

Stroke

Dyskinesia: ataxia, athetosis and dystonia

Other non-progressive neurological disorders and syndromes

How we help

Our resident physiotherapists, specialised equipment and intensive physiotherapy programmes help improve strength and mobility for children with cerebral palsy and mobility problems.

Home programmes are specially tailored for each child and are given to parents at the end of block sessions so that parents can continue the important exercises at home.

Block sessions

2018 block session dates are now available for booking. Please call Karen on 020 8313 3707.

What we do

Our physiotherapy programmes are tailored specifically for each child and include:

Postural management - a planned approach encompassing all activities and interventions which impact on a child’s posture and function

Gait assessment -assess and examine the gait of the child to build a programme of exercises to improve walking patterns

Kinesiology taping - joint correction and postural alignmentMaintain and improve posture and movementImprove balance and coordinationMaintain range of movement of joints to help prevent rigidity

Provide advice on specialist equipment - advise on the most appropriate equipment for the child’s development

Introduce proper movement patterns - repetitive exercises

Massage

Home exercise programmes - supply a home-based pictorial exercise programme using photos and videos to help parents with home exercises and understanding

Meet the Team

Sonia Verma

Physiotherapist

BPT, MPT. Member of HCPC, CSP & APCP

Sonia worked as a Paediatric Physiotherapist for a non-profit voluntary organisation in India before moving to London in 2011 to work with people with learning difficulties and complex needs. She joined the Freddie Farmer Therapy Centre team in 2016.

One of Sonia's biggest goals was to find a place where people are proud to work and this she says is the place she's been looking for, a place where her background, experience and skills can be put to good use to make great things happen.

Elina Isoaho

Physiotherapist

MCSP, HCPC & CSP

Elina's background is in special needs in a school and university hospital setting. In the special needs school, Elina worked with neurological caseloads, mostly cerebral palsy, and in the University hospital, she worked across neurology, orthopaedics and intensive care.

Elina is originally from Finland and cites her main loves as photography and drinking tea!

Colin Clifford

PhysiotherapistMCSP Dip MSc FA Dip

Colin’s background is in sport and disability sports. He took up a position with Millwall FC as an Academy Physiotherapist and worked there for 17 years at all levels, Academy, Reserves and First Team. He also worked with the FA Disability teams and with Dwarf Sports Athletics UK.

He later moved across to Gillingham as First Team Physiotherapist for 2 years, and then took a position in a private practice but continued his link with disability football with the London FA Crystal Palace Training Centre in South East London.

Well known fact, Colin is passionate about football!

Sam Donovan

Physio assistant

Sam Donovan joined the Freddie Farmer Therapy Centre in 2016. He is currentlytraining to achieve a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Allied Health Professional Support.

Sam has worked with lots of charities and children and in 2015 went to Uganda to work with underprivileged children to teach them Tag Rugby, which he says ‘was one of the best experiences of my life’.

Well known fact! Sam likes all sports, especially football, and is a keen Millwall FC supporter.

George Clifford

Physio Assistant

George Clifford joined the Freddie Farmer Therapy Centre in January 2018.

George has a keen interest in fitness to improve his own health, which inspired him to work as a personal trainer, to help others do the same.

He has worked alongside rehabilitation instructors, stroke survivors and people with medical conditions, and is now pursuing a career in physiotherapy, and is later planning to go to university to complete his physiotherapy degree.

Little Known Fact: George is an avid motorbike fan!

Karen Smith

Charity officer

Karen started working at the Freddie Farmer Foundation in 2015 but has known Freddie's family for over 10 years, before Freddie was even born.

She loves her job as charity officer because it is so varied, from organising fundraising events to meeting and greeting our parents and children. ‘You have to be organised and good with meeting people.’ Karen’s in her element!

Karen is committed to ensuring the foundation is a success to help Freddie and lots of children like him to achieve their full potential.

Well known fact. Karen loves chocolate!

It’s amazing to have a local and affordable centre with such a fantastic team. It’s a brilliant combination of physio and fun, brilliant team and a friendly atmosphere.

TheraSuit Method and Spider

The TheraSuit Method uses specific exercises and equipment to improve the range of a child’s motion, posture, balance, flexibility, and function. The main device used in this method is called a TheraSuit. This soft brace enhances postural control to allow isolated exercises within the normal pattern of movement. The Spider is a series of bungee ropes in a frame that supports the child in any position while the physiotherapist carries out exercises to help develop and build the child’s muscles. Bungee-like cords are attached to allow the child to learn new and correct patterns of movement through strengthening and functional skills practice.

TheraSuit

The TheraSuit consists of a series of elastic bands to properly align the body, support weak muscles and provide external stabilization. The bands can be adjusted for each child to provide the needed support or resistance.

Thera Bench

The Thera Bench is designed for children who require minimal levels of postural support when seated. The height and angle is adjustable and can be tilted at a range of different angles. It encourages correct postural positioning thanks to its slanted seat.

Parallel Bars

Parallel Bars are important items of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and exercise equipment. They are used to help the children regain their strength, balance, range of motion and independence.

Wobble Board

Wobble Boards add a dynamic component to balance training, forcing greater neuromuscular activation to further develop the body's ability to sense movement. The results are better balance and stability, the ability to change direction more quickly when needed and more finely tune motor skills. In a playful way, but very efficiently, the Wobble Board supports physical awareness and balance.

I Joy Ride Horse Riding Machine

The iJoy Ride is the latest hi-tech horse riding machine. It helps to tone and condition muscles known to improve posture and balance. It gives the key benefits gained from horseback riding which is proven to improve core stability, circulation, cardiovascular fitness and well-being. The child sits on the comfortable seat either alone or with the assistance of a therapist and can go at the choice of 4 speeds and also an auto program which runs through all 4 speeds, therefore testing the child’s abilities to adjust.

Trike

The Tomcat Trike is a safe and stable trike which can be adjusted to suit each child’s individual needs, such as different straps to secure the child, and gaiters which help to keep the child’s legs in the correct alignment. It helps to get the child to exercise their legs in a functional pattern in a fun way riding around the local park. It can be controlled by the child using the handlebars, as well as by the therapist using a handle at the back to steer and control the brakes, making it safe for the child.

Total Gym Power Tower

The Total Gym Power Tower is an adjustable glideboard which can be used for squats, working on core muscles, arm exercises etc. We can change the difficulty of the Total Gym Power Tower depending on the ability of the child, making it a piece of equipment that can be used for a lot of the children who visit the centre. The Total Gym Power Tower also uses the child’s own body weight at different levels so we know that the child is never attempting to lift a weight that is too heavy for them.

Kaye Scoot-About

The Kaye Scoot-About is a mobile sitting and exercise device. It allows the child to exercise their legs by pushing or pulling with their legs to propel themselves. This piece of equipment allows the child to become more independent by moving themselves around the centre with ease.

LiteGait mobile hoist

The Lite Gait Mobile Hoist can be used to train balance while walking with support to prevent falls while controlling the amount of movement to restore function. It permits unilateral or bilateral support for children with walking disorders, allowing progression of the weight bearing from non to full weight bearing. The harness removes a controllable portion of the weight from the legs and redistributes it to the pelvis and trunk, ensuring free movement of the arms and legs and allowing the therapist to manually assist a patient's legs and pelvis to achieve proper gait patterns.

LokoHelp

The LokoHelp is a wonderful device for our children in lower limb rehabilitation. It creates the perfect gait pattern by guiding the legs on a treadmill and motivates the child to practice longer with more commitment. It offers a wide range of challenges by increasing the speed, duration and inclination. Visual feedback and mirrors help in the learning of motor skills to achieve positive results and functional outcomes.

Paediatric Steps

Peanut Ball

The Peanut Inflatable Ball comes in many different colours and sizes, we use them for balance and co-ordination training and strengthening activities. The Peanut Ball helps to increase core strength by working on the abdomen and back control. It can also improve a child’s dynamic balance by sitting or lying on top of the ball to develop gross motor skills, postural stability and bilateral coordination. The most common use of the therapy ball is the gradual introduction of increased weight-bearing activities to improve muscle tone and strength.

Ladder Back Chair

The Ladder Back Chair can be used for sitting as well as standing and allows a child to move from kneeling to half kneeling to standing. It engages the child through a structured therapy programme and helps them to improve balance and coordination.

Kinesio Taping

Kinesio Taping is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It helps to relieve pain, supports muscles in movement, removes lymphatic fluid congestion, corrects joint misalignment, assists in positioning a muscle or joint into a proper position for rehabilitation, assists a weak muscle by placing it in a normal position and improves kinesthetic awareness of posture and alignment.

FAQs

Do you treat children outside of the London area?Yes

How much does it cost? Therapy fees are subsidised at £30 an hour by the Freddie Farmer Foundation (for e.g. 3 hours of therapy a day for 2 weeks = £900).

How can I get help to fund the therapy? Freddie Farmer Foundation has partnered up with Tree of Hope crowdfunding charity, to help families to raise the money they need to pay for our specialist care.

How can I book a session?​We will conduct an initial assessment for your child which is free of charge and will last one hour. We will assess your child and their abilities and determine the best programme for them. Please call us on 020 8313 3707 to arrange a mutually convenient time.

How long are the sessions?​2 or 3 hours daily over 2 or 4 weeks

What should I expect on my first visit to the centre? You will have a tour of our Centre and facilities, meet the team and ask any questions you might have. You will also need to sign into our visitor’s book.

What do I do during my child’s session? We have a comfortable family room with Wi-Fi and TV, and a kitchen with a fridge, kettle and microwave, so make yourselves at home.

What happens if we are running late? Because of the way the sessions are structured, we are unable to add any extra time to the end of your session and no refund will be given. Please allow ample journey time and call us on 020 8313 3707 if you are running late.

What should I do if my child is ill? Please call us as soon as possible on 020 8313 3707.